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Are side-by-sides street legal in Arkansas?

Arkansas's law on side-by-sides and ATVs on public roads, quoted from its own page, with the conditions, equipment and plate rule.

The law in Arkansas

Side-by-side (UTV): Only where it is allowed locally. In Arkansas, a side-by-side may use a public road only where a city, county or road authority opens it.
"27-21-111. Operation of utility task vehicle on designated public streets and highways. (a) A person may operate a utility task vehicle on a public street or highway of this state if: (1) The utility task vehicle is being operated on the public street or highway under a condition or circumstance listed in § 27-21-106(a); or (2) The following requirements are met: (A) The public street or highway has been designated as being open to the operation of a utility task vehicle under this section; and (B) The utility task vehicle and the operator of the utility task vehicle meet the requirements of this chapter."
ATV (quad): No, except to cross. Arkansas allows an ATV on a public road only to cross it.
"(a) It is unlawful for a person to operate an all-terrain vehicle on a public street or highway of this state, even if the all-terrain vehicle otherwise meets the equipment standards of § 27-20-104, except under the following conditions and circumstances: (1) A person may operate an all-terrain vehicle on a public street or highway if the all-terrain vehicle is: (A) Used in farming or hunting operations; and (B) Operated on a public street or highway in order to get from one field to another; (2)(A) An all-terrain vehicle may be operated on a public street or highway if: (i) The all-terrain vehicle needs to make a direct crossing of the street or highway to get from one area to another;"
Dirt bike: Arkansas publishes no road rule for a dirt bike that we could find. Ask the county sheriff before riding a public road.

Act 922 of the 2025 Regular Session (House Bill 1606), Arkansas State Legislature, checked November 2026.

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Side-by-side (UTV) · Arkansas

Where locally allowed

Only where it is allowed locally. In Arkansas, a side-by-side may use a public road only where a city, county or road authority opens it.

"27-21-111. Operation of utility task vehicle on designated public streets and highways. (a) A person may operate a utility task vehicle on a public street or highway of this state if: (1) The utility task vehicle is being operated on the public street or highway under a condition or circumstance listed in § 27-21-106(a); or (2) The following requirements are met: (A) The public street or highway has been designated as being open to the operation of a utility task vehicle under this section; and (B) The utility task vehicle and the operator of the utility task vehicle meet the requirements of this chapter."

Conditions

"(b)(1)(A) The governing body of the city in which a public street or highway is located may adopt an ordinance designating the public street or highway within the jurisdiction of the city as being open to the operation of a utility task vehicle."
"(2)(A) The county judge of the county in which a public street or highway is located may issue an executive order designating the public street or highway within the jurisdiction of the county as being open to the operation of a utility task vehicle."
"(d) The governing body of a city or the county judge of a county shall not designate a public street or highway within the jurisdiction of the city or county as being open to the operation of a utility task vehicle under this subsection if the public street or highway: (A) Has a posted speed limit that exceeds fifty-five miles per hour (55 m.p.h.); (B) Is a divided four-lane highway; or (C) Is located in a state park."
"(3) Except as provided in subsection (d) of this section, a state highway that is located within an area that has been designated as being open under this subsection is open to the operation of a utility task vehicle."
"(4) Maintain insurance that meets the requirements for private passenger motor vehicles under § 23-89-201 et seq.;"

Registration and plates

"(3) Register the utility task vehicle under § 27-14-701 et seq. and display the registration decal for the utility task vehicle on the driver's side roll bar of the utility task vehicle;"

Required equipment (1)

(c) A utility task vehicle operated on a public street or highway as authorized under § 27-21-111(a)(2) shall have the following functional equipment: (1) At least two (2) headlamps; (2) Rear-facing turn signals; (3) At least one (1) brake light; and (4) Seatbelts.

Driver's license

"(c) An operator of a utility task vehicle that is travelling on a public street or highway as authorized under § 27-21-111(a)(2) shall: (1) Have a valid driver's license;"

Riding in Arkansas

33 off-road parks listed in Arkansas. National forest roads open to your vehicle today.

See Arkansas off-road parks

Other states

Side-by-side and ATV road laws in other states

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Common questions

Street legal UTV questions

Only where it is allowed locally. In Arkansas, a side-by-side may use a public road only where a city, county or road authority opens it. Source: Act 922 of the 2025 Regular Session (House Bill 1606), Arkansas State Legislature.

No, except to cross. Arkansas allows an ATV on a public road only to cross it. Source: Act 922 of the 2025 Regular Session (House Bill 1606), Arkansas State Legislature.

Arkansas's law says: "(3) Register the utility task vehicle under § 27-14-701 et seq. and display the registration decal for the utility task vehicle on the driver's side roll bar of the utility task vehicle;"

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